Peshawar, May 5 : Following threats from a subsidiary group of one of the MMA component parties led by a former MNA, the new coalition government in the NWFP has ordered removal of billboards depicting female models from the streets of Peshawar.

During the tenure of the provincial government of the six-party alliance, the same subsidiary group of one of the MMA component parties was known for smashing signboards carrying images of female models.

The group was planning a strong campaign against the billboards featuring female models in allegedly suggestive and obscene poses, reported The News.

The new NWFP government is led by the liberal and progressive Awami National Party (ANP).

Sources claimed that some of the hoardings were even removed by that group, which upset the city bosses, who themselves launched the drive against the publicity boards featuring female models for "objectionable poses and dresses."

They said that besides tarnishing the image of the province, the step would adversely affect the advertising industry. The MMA step had affected the advertising business by 20 to 30 per cent and this time too it might be detrimental to the provincial economy.

District Coordination Officer Sahibzada Muhammad Anis told the media that the decision was taken in response to public complaints against billboards. He said the district administration had received several complaints from citizens regarding billboards showing female models. The people had sought immediate action from the government in this regard.

Haji Ghulam Ali, district Nazim, however, said that two weeks ago the advertisers were asked to remove the boards obstructing roads' widening work. He said the removal of the billboards had nothing to do with any threats, saying that the district administration had received complaints regarding traffic problems due to the billboards.